The death toll from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the central Philippines has climbed to 69, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, as emergency teams rushed to locate survivors and restore essential services.

The powerful tremor struck off the northern coast of Cebu province late Tuesday, just before 10 pm, at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers. In Bogo City, close to the epicenter, hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, Civil Defense official Raffy Alejandro said.

Provincial disaster officials reported 69 fatalities, though figures remain subject to validation, according to regional Civil Defense spokesperson Jane Abapo. More than 150 people were also injured in the disaster.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr offered condolences to grieving families and assured survivors of swift assistance. Cabinet secretaries were dispatched to lead relief operations on the ground.

Despite the widespread destruction, Cebu's Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the second busiest in the country, remained operational. Cebu province, a major tourist destination, is home to over 3.4 million residents.

#EarthquakeReport for M 6.9 #Lindol #Earthquake in the #Philippines@USGS_Quakes models show low chance for triggered landslides & hi chance for induced liquefaction
PAGER estimates for losses

Tectonic background in 2023 report https://t.co/CVr22I6vTahttps://t.co/HbsziewES7 pic.twitter.com/Sk8ppuO723

— Jason "Jay" R. Patton (@patton_cascadia) September 30, 2025

Towns struggle under state of calamity

San Remigio, one of the hardest-hit towns, was placed under a state of emergency to expedite aid distribution. Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes appealed for food, clean water, and heavy equipment to support search and rescue teams.

"It is raining heavily and there is no electricity, so we really need help, especially in the northern part because there's a scarcity of water after supply lines were damaged by the earthquake" Reynes told DZMM radio.

In Pilar town, residents described rushing out of their homes as the ground shook violently. Archel Coraza recalled waking his family before fleeing into the streets, noting that seawater receded along the shoreline moments after the tremor.

Casualties, collapsed structures

Local media shared footage of panicked residents fleeing their homes as buildings crumbled. A century-old church collapsed, and among the dead in San Remigio were individuals trapped when a sports complex partially gave way during a basketball game, Reynes confirmed.

Earthquake monitoring agencies reported multiple aftershocks following the main quake, including one measuring magnitude 6. Authorities said no tsunami warning was issued.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country experienced two major earthquakes earlier this year without casualties. In 2023, however, a 6.7-magnitude offshore quake killed eight people.